Who is Herman Mashaba?
Herman Mashaba, a name that resonates with the tenacity of South Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit and the polarizing force of its political evolution, stands as a towering figure whose journey from the impoverished township of GaRamotse to the helm of Johannesburg’s mayoral office and leadership of ActionSA embodies a relentless pursuit of economic freedom and reform.
Born Herman Samtseu Philip Mashaba on August 26, 1959, this self-made millionaire transformed Black Like Me into a trailblazing hair-care empire, breaking apartheid-era barriers before entering politics as a libertarian “capitalist crusader” with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and later founding his own party.
At 65, Mashaba’s path, marked by business triumphs, a contentious mayoral tenure, and ongoing political ambitions, reflects a potent blend of grit, controversy, and visionary zeal, positioning him as a transformative yet divisive icon in South Africa’s dynamic landscape as of May 20, 2025.
This Herman Mashaba’s biography delves into the multifaceted ascent of a man whose life defies conventional boundaries, offering a lens into the interplay of personal hardship, entrepreneurial innovation, and political conviction that fuels his influence.
From launching Black Like Me with a R30,000 loan to becoming Johannesburg’s first non-ANC mayor in 2016, Herman Mashaba’s career spans groundbreaking business ventures and a turbulent political journey, culminating in ActionSA’s emergence as a coalition player.
His story, tempered by anti-immigrant controversies, funding scandals, and a fierce commitment to libertarian principles, carries both inspiration and contention.
What follows is an in-depth exploration of his early years, pre-political empire-building, storied career, major achievements, personal life, and the evolving legacy of a leader whose vision, from Hammanskraal’s dusty streets to Pretoria’s political arenas, continues to challenge South Africa’s economic and social fabric, one bold step at a time.
Herman Mashaba’s Bio-Data
| Name | Herman Samtseu Philip Mashaba |
| Date of Birth | August 26, 1959 |
| Age | 65 years old |
| Place of Birth | GaRamotse, Hammanskraal, Pretoria, South Africa |
| Occupation | Politician, Entrepreneur, President of ActionSA, Former Mayor of Johannesburg |
| Spouse | Connie Mashaba |
| Source | Bsgistnews.com |
Early Life and Education
Herman Samtseu Philip Mashaba was born on August 26, 1959, in GaRamotse, Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, South Africa, during the apartheid era.
Raised in near-poverty by his sisters while his mother worked odd jobs to support the family, Herman Mashaba grew up under the oppressive racial segregation laws, including the Group Areas Act, which restricted Black mobility.
His father died when Mashaba was 42, leaving his mother to fend for her children.
His older brother dropped out of school at 15, taking menial jobs, which underscored for Mashaba the importance of education to escape poverty.
He completed primary education at a local Hammanskraal school and graduated from high school but did not finish tertiary education.
Some sources, like studentroom.co.za, claim he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of South Africa (UNISA), but this is unverified by primary records or Mashaba’s own statements, which confirm he dropped out of university in his second year due to financial pressures and apartheid-era restrictions.
His lack of a degree, juxtaposed with his later success, has drawn comparisons to figures like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs in Prince Mashele’s controversial biography The Outsider, though such parallels are debated.
Herman Mashaba’s early exposure to hardship and systemic barriers fueled his entrepreneurial drive and libertarian worldview, emphasizing individual freedom and capitalism.
Career Before Political Prominence
Herman Mashaba’s early career was marked by determination to break free from poverty.
His first job was as a clerk at Spar, followed by a role at a furniture manufacturer.
Saving diligently, he bought a car after two years, a significant milestone.
He then became a top salesman for SuperKurl, an African hair-care product line, which ignited his passion for the industry.
Recognizing the limitations of being an employee, Mashaba conceived the idea for Black Like Me, a hair product company tailored to Black South Africans.
On Valentine’s Day 1985, he launched the company with a R30,000 loan from friend and businessman Walter Dube, partnering with white Afrikaner colleague Johan Kriel and salesman Joseph Molwantwa.
Operating from Ga-Rankuwa Industrial Park, Mashaba later bought out his partners, establishing himself as the sole owner.
Black Like Me became South Africa’s leading Black hair-care brand, making Mashaba a millionaire.
In 2002, the company expanded to the UK, marking Mashaba as the first Black-owned South African company to sell products internationally, a historic achievement under post-apartheid economic constraints.
Over the years, he diversified into mining, construction, real estate, security, aviation, and IT, building a business empire.
From 2002, he served as CEO of Leswikeng Minerals & Energy and held non-executive roles at Stefanutti Stocks (2008–present), Growthpoint Properties (Deputy Chairman, 2008–present), Edcon Holdings (2006–present), and Metboard Properties (2004–present).
His entrepreneurial success earned him a 2003 Henley Management College Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership and a 2005 UNISA Honorary Award for Outstanding Entrepreneur.
A music enthusiast, Herman Mashaba secretly took piano lessons for five years before revealing his skill, adding a personal dimension to his public persona.
From 2012 to May 2014, he chaired the Free Market Foundation (FMF), advocating for libertarian policies, but stepped down to join the Democratic Alliance (DA), citing the need for the FMF’s political impartiality.
Political Career
Mashaba’s political journey began in 2014 when he joined the DA as an “ordinary card-carrying member.”
A self-described libertarian and “capitalist crusader,” he publicly backed Mmusi Maimane in the DA’s 2015 leadership race, aligning with the party’s liberal economic stance.
In December 2015, he accepted a nomination as the DA’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, defeating Rabelani Dagada.
The 2016 municipal election saw the ANC lose its Johannesburg majority, securing 44.12% to the DA’s 38.33%.
The DA, unable to form a coalition with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), secured EFF votes for Mashaba’s mayoral bid despite their reservations.
On August 22, 2016, he was sworn in as Johannesburg’s first non-ANC mayor since 1994, a historic shift.
As mayor (2016–2019), Mashaba focused on service delivery, economic development, and social justice, but his tenure was contentious.
He challenged the ANC’s “draconian” labor laws through an FMF-led Constitutional Court case, arguing that bargaining council processes harmed small businesses and exacerbated unemployment.
His anti-immigrant rhetoric, including comments on undocumented migrants, drew accusations of xenophobia, prompting a 2019 Human Rights Commission sensitivity program.
On October 21, 2019, Mashaba resigned as mayor, citing irreconcilable differences with DA leadership, particularly after Helen Zille’s return as federal council chair, which he viewed as a shift away from progressive values.
His resignation took effect on November 27, 2019.
Post-resignation, Mashaba launched The People’s Dialogue (December 2019–February 2020) to engage South Africans on social issues, though its funding sources remain undisclosed.
On August 29, 2020, he founded ActionSA, a party emphasizing economic reform, law enforcement, and controversial policies like reintroducing the death penalty for rape and murder.
Mashaba claimed ActionSA was funded from his “own pocket and supporters,” but transparency concerns persist.
As ActionSA’s president, he led the party to modest gains in the 2021 local elections and positioned it as a coalition player in 2024, though it remains a minor force compared to the ANC and DA.
Major Achievements
Mashaba’s achievements span business and politics.
Founding Black Like Me in 1985 and expanding it to the UK in 2002 made him a trailblazer for Black entrepreneurship, earning him a multimillion-rand fortune and awards like UNISA’s 2005 Honorary Award.
His diverse business portfolio, from mining to real estate, solidified his status as a leading South African entrepreneur.
As Johannesburg mayor, he disrupted ANC dominance, implementing reforms in housing and service delivery, though critics argue his policies favored business over the poor.
Founding ActionSA in 2020 established a new political platform, amplifying his libertarian voice, despite limited electoral success.
His autobiography, Black Like You (2012), and campaign manager Michael Beaumont’s The Accidental Mayor (2019) chronicle his journey, though Prince Mashele’s 2023 biography, The Outsider, sparked controversy after Mashaba admitted funding it with R12.5 million, leading to its withdrawal by Jonathan Ball Publishers for misrepresentation as “unauthorized.”
Personal Life
Mashaba is married to Connie Mashaba, a philanthropist involved in social initiatives.
They have two children, Khensani and Rhulani, and reside in Johannesburg.
Connie has supported Mashaba’s ventures while maintaining a low public profile.
His family life, including dining with relatives and friends, was documented in Mashele’s biography, offering glimpses of his private side.
Mashaba’s love for music, particularly his piano skills, reflects a personal passion rarely highlighted in his political career.
His X posts (@HermanMashaba) reveal a blend of personal reflection and political activism, such as his February 2025 post lamenting apartheid and ANC governance, signaling his ongoing commitment to reform.
Legacy and Impact
At 65, as of May 20, 2025, Herman Mashaba’s net worth is estimated at $100 million (approximately R1.5 billion), derived from Black Like Me, his business ventures, and investments, though Forbes has not verified this figure, and claims are inconsistent across sources.
His legacy is a study in contrasts: a rags-to-riches entrepreneur who broke apartheid-era barriers, yet a politician criticized for anti-immigrant views and selective governance.
Supporters on X praise his capitalist ethos and ActionSA’s growth, while critics, citing posts like @CoruscaKhaya’s 2023 jab at his biography scandal, question his transparency.
Mashaba’s Black Like Me revolutionized Black hair care, empowering communities and inspiring entrepreneurs, as noted in his 2005 UNISA award.
His mayoral tenure challenged ANC hegemony, but his resignation and ActionSA’s formation reflect a restless pursuit of principle over party loyalty, though his death penalty stance and funding controversies alienate some.
As ActionSA navigates South Africa’s coalition landscape, Mashaba’s influence, rooted in Hammanskraal’s poverty and amplified by Johannesburg’s mayoral chambers, remains significant yet divisive, a libertarian capitalist whose story of grit and ambition continues to shape South Africa’s economic and political discourse, one venture at a time.
FAQs
Q. Who is Herman Mashaba?
Herman Mashaba, born Herman Samtseu Philip Mashaba on August 26, 1959, in GaRamotse, Hammanskraal, is a South African entrepreneur and politician. He founded Black Like Me, a leading Black hair-care brand, and served as Johannesburg’s first non-ANC mayor (2016–2019) for the Democratic Alliance (DA) before launching ActionSA in 2020, where he is president.
Q. What is Herman Mashaba’s role with ActionSA?
As of May 20, 2025, Mashaba is the president of ActionSA, a party he founded in August 2020, advocating for economic reform, stricter law enforcement, and controversial policies like reintroducing the death penalty for serious crimes. ActionSA has gained traction as a coalition player in South Africa’s 2024 political landscape.
Q. Why did Herman Mashaba resign as Johannesburg mayor?
He resigned on October 21, 2019 (effective November 27, 2019), citing irreconcilable differences with DA leadership, particularly after Helen Zille’s return as federal council chair, which he saw as a shift away from progressive values, prompting him to pursue his own political vision with ActionSA.
Q. What controversies surround Herman Mashaba?
Mashaba has faced criticism for anti-immigrant rhetoric during his mayoral tenure, leading to 2019 Human Rights Commission sensitivity training for xenophobia allegations. His funding of Prince Mashele’s 2023 biography, The Outsider, with R12.5 million, led to its withdrawal due to misrepresentation as “unauthorized,” sparking transparency concerns.
